A reflection is underway concerning the amount of a “decent salary” in France. But how much does it amount to? The perception of the French varies from one region to another.
The debate on salaries rages in France. While Michelin boss Florent Menegaux declared that the minimum wage is not a “decent” salarymany wonder about the income of big business leaders, compared to those of workers, or even about those of famous animators like Bruce Toussaint or Camille Combal from Dance with the stars.
But what is a decent salary according to the French? It is not the same everywhere: the figure varies depending on the region. If some received their March salary late (here is the reason), it is common for the ends of the month to be difficult, particularly due to inflation. And the perception of what a good salary is remains quite subjective, and depends on the person’s living environment. For Florent Menegaux, for example, it would be twice the minimum wage in Paris, and 20% more than the minimum wage in Clermont-Ferrand (Michelin headquarters).
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How much is a “decent salary” according to the French?
A study by the Drees (Directorate of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics), asked the following question to the French for its annual barometer carried out in December 2022: “In your opinion, to live, what is the minimum amount an individual must have per month (in euros)?”. The answer is 1983 euros per month. For the period from 2018 to 2021, the figure was around 1750 euros per month and has therefore increased significantly.
As a reminder, the minimum wage has been set at around 1,400 euros net monthly since January 1, 2024. An increase of 42% would be required to achieve this “decent salary”. And the latter evolves depending on the region: the people interviewed living in the Paris metropolitan area estimate that it is 2373 euros; for those living in towns with more than 100,000 inhabitantsit is 1994 euros.
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What is a living wage?
This concept of “decent wage” or “minimum living wage” is subjective. For the Michelin boss, it allows you to house yourself and your family, to feed yourself, to pay for transport, to take care of yourself, to educate your children, to acquire consumer goods such as a car, leisure activities, vacation, and to have savings in case of hard times.
But for the economist Jean-Marc Daniel, cited by BFMTV, this does not correspond to economic rules which determine wages. They are made according to “the marginal productivity of the employee” or the relationship between supply and demand. A subject which therefore divides, and which greatly concerns the French suffering from an increase in prices greater than the increase in wages.
Editor for Aufeminin since 2022, Charlotte is passionate about cinema, French and international, and a fortune reader. Curious about everything, she talks as much about personalities as…